The bout was expected to headline the UFC’s first European Tour event, which takes place March 8 at London’s O2 Arena. However, MMA Fighting first reported a lingering back injury will prevent Nogueira from competing on the card.

Gustafsson, a heavy underdog, recently took UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones the distance at UFC 165 and lost a close decision to the dominant title holder. The defeat did little but raise Gustafsson’s profile, but it wasn’t enough to earn him an immediate rematch. Instead, the Swedish striker was expected to look for his seventh win in eight fights and earn another title shot with a victory.

Nogueira, a former PRIDE fighter whose UFC career has been slowed by an assortment of injuries, was hoping to fight for the first time in 13 months. He would have been in search of his third consecutive win following impressive performances against former champs Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans, which halted a two-fight skid. Instead, he’ll be forced to the sidelines. A timetable for his return wasn’t immediately established.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.